Apparatus for scanning documents in front of a document plate

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a scanning device. The scanning device comprises a document plate for placing a document, at least a sliding guide placed at one side of the document plate, a scanning module which is in front of the document plate for scanning the document along the direction of the sliding guide, a first light source assembled in the scanning module for providing light to scan documents, and a driving module electrically connected to the scanning module for driving the scanning module to perform scanning procedure to the document.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

More than one reissue application has been filed for reissue of U.S.Pat. No. 6,721,072. The reissue applications are the presentapplication, filed on Apr. 13, 2006, and U.S. patent application Ser.No. 11/468,772 (now abandoned), filed on Aug. 31, 2006.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to a scanning device.Specifically, an apparatus for scanning a document in front of adocument plate.

1. Background Description

Please refer to FIG. 1. There are shown a traditional flatbed scanner 10and a monitor 12. The scanner comprises a frame 14, a transparentdocument glass 16 for placing a document 18, a cover 19 for positioningon the document 18, and a scanning module 20 which is assembled insidethe frame 14. The scanning module 20 is movable back and forth in orderto scan the document 18 on the transparent document glass 16. Thescanner 10 is connected to the monitor 12. Before the formal scanningprocesses are conducted, the scanning module 20 will perform a previewscan in order to determine the position of the document 18. When theformal scanning processes are conducted, there is a performance bar 24on the display 22 of the monitor, for showing the position of thescanning module 20 and indicating the relative position compared to theframe 14.

During scanning the document, although the performance bar 24 canindicate the position of scanning module 20. However, the performancebar 24 is unable to precisely indicate the position of the scanningmodule 20 because it takes time to process mass digital signals. If theuser eager to know the precise position of the scanning module 20, theuser must open the cover 19 to observe the status of the scanner 10. Inthis regard, it is inconvenient. Moreover, this kind of action of a userwould interfere in the scanning processes.

Further, since the flatbed scanner requires a lot of area to be placed,it is therefore not efficient to use the flatbed scanner in a restrictedoffice environment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a scanningdevice for scanning a document in front of a document plate, rather thanscanning the document via a transparent document glass.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other objects, aspects and advantages will be betterunderstood from the following detailed description of a preferredembodiment of the invention with reference to the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic demonstration of a traditional scanner and amonitor;

FIG. 2 is a schematic demonstration of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic demonstration of another embodiment of the presentinvention;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Please refer to FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 2 shows the scanning device 30. FIG.3 shows the rear view of the scanning device 30. The scanning device 20is able to stand on the table or to be placed flat on the table. Thescanning device 30 comprises a document plate which can be a transparentplate 32, two sliding guides 36 and a scanning module 38, wherein thescanning module 38 is placed in front of the transparent plate 32. Thetwo sliding guides 36 are adjacent to the transparent plate 32 in eachside in parallel. The scanning module 38 is a contact image sensor(CIS). The scanning device 30 further comprises a first light source 40which is assembled inside the scanning module 38 to provide light forscanning reflective documents, a second light source 46 placed in therear side of the transparent plate 32 to provide light for scanningtransparent documents, a driving module 42 electrically connected to thescanning module 38 for driving the scanning module 38 to scan thedocument 34 placed on the transparent plate 32, and a control module 44for coordinating the on/off of the first light source 40 and the secondlight source 40 with other modules. Both sides of the scanning module 38are positioned on the sliding guides 36 in order to let the scanningmodule be movable to scan the document 34 placed on the transparentplate 32, along the parallel direction of the sliding guides.

In FIGS. 2 and 3, the sliding guides are placed on the upper and bottomside of the transparent plate 32. However, the sliding guides are alsoable to be placed on the left and right sides of the transparent plate32. In this case, the scanning module is therefore movable along theupper and bottom side of the transparent plate 32, to scan the document34 placed on the transparent plate 32. Furthermore, the sliding guideswould be reduced to only one existed. The sliding guide will be parallelto the surface of the transparent plate 32. Therefore, the scanningmodule 38 scans the document placed on the transparent plate 32, alongthe parallel direction to the sliding guide.

Specifically, during scanning a reflective document, the control module44 will turn on the first light source 40 which is at the same side ofthe document and turn off the second light source 46 which is at theopposite side of the document, for providing necessary illumination toperform the reflective-type scanning procedure. On the other hand,during scanning a transparent document, the control module 44 will turnon the second light source 46 and turn off the first light source 46,for providing necessary illumination to perform the transparent-typescanning procedure. The second light source 46 would be a light tube ora light plate. If the second light source 46 is a light tube, the lighttube will be connected to the driving module 42 electrically. Thedriving module 42 will synchronize the movement of the light tube withthe scanning module 38 to scan the transparent document. If the secondlight source 46 is light plate, the light plate would follow theinstructions of the control module 44 to be turned on or off.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the present invention. The differencebetween the scanning device 50 and the scanning device 30 is that thescanning device 50 comprises a frame 52 and a stand 54 which are mountedon the back side of the frame 52. The stand 54 is able to support theframe 52 in a declined position. In the scanning device 50, thetransparent plate 32 is on the front side of the frame 52. The twosliding guides 36 are parallel to each other and be placed on both sidesof the front of the frame 52. The scanning module 38 is placed in frontof the transparent plate 32. Both sides of the scanning module 38 areplaced on the sliding guides in order to scan the document in thedirection parallel to the sliding guides. The stand 54 is able to beplaced into the frame 52 elastically. Therefore, the scanning device canbe placed on the desk as a flatbed scanner.

The scanning devices 30 and 50 further comprise a transparent cover 56for holding the document 34 on the transparent plate 32. Besideemploying the transparent cover 56 for holding the document 34. Atransparent membrane or by static electric effect is able to be employedfor holding the document 34 on the transparent plate 32, in order toopreventing the document dropping out of the transparent plate. Moreover,the user can directly draw or write on the transparent plate byremovable ink. Thus, the scanning module 38 is able to scan the writtenscript and/or drawings.

Comparing to the traditional scanning device 10, the scanning module 38of the scanning device 38 is in the front of the transparent plate 32.Particularly, the scanning module 38 and the document 34 are in the sideof the transparent plate 32. In this case, a user can directly observethe position and status of the scanning module 38. Further, the scanningdevice 30 can stand on a table or any place in the office. The scanningdevice 50 is able to stand on a place by a declined degree for savingthe necessary space for placement of a scanner. Moreover, the user candirectly scan the written scripts and drawings on the transparent plateor the transparent cover along with the document. When the scanningdevice of the present invention is off the work, some beautiful ormeaningful pictures can be placed on the transparent plate fordecoration purposes.

Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed in the forgoing description and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, it will be understood that the invention is notlimited to the embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerousrearrangements, modifications, and substituting of parts and elementswithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.Accordingly, the present invention is intended to encompass suchrearrangements, modifications, and substitutions of parts and elementsas fall within the scope of the appended claims.

1. A scanning device comprising: a housing; a document plate within theupper surface of said housing for placing a document; a first slidingguide outside of said housing mounted on said document plate; a scanningmodule outside of said housing, wherein one side of said scanning moduleis connected to said first sliding guide to be movable along thedirection of said first sliding guide; a first light source assembledinside said scanning module for providing scan illumination; and adriving module, electrically connected to said scanning module fordriving said scanning module to scan said document.
 2. The scanningdevice of claim 1, wherein said document plate is a transparent plate.3. The scanning device of claim 2, further comprising: a second lightsource; and a control module for coordinating on and off of said firstlight source and said second light source; wherein said first lightsource turned on and said second light source turned off is for scanninga reflective document, and said first light source turned off and saidsecond light source turned on is for scanning a transparent document. 4.The scanning device of claim 3, wherein said second light source is alight tube, which is electrically connected to said driving module, andsaid driving module synchronizes the movement of said scanning moduleand said light tube for scanning said transparent document.
 5. Thescanning device of claim 3, wherein said second light source is a lightpanel for providing light to scan said transparent document.
 6. Thescanning device of claim 1, further comprising a stand, pivoted on abottom surface of said housing for supporting said housing in a declinedposition.
 7. The scanning device of claim 1, further comprising atransparent cover for holding said document on said document plate. 8.The scanning device of claim 1, wherein said document is held on saiddocument plate by static electric effect.
 9. The scanning device ofclaim 1, further comprising a transparent membrane for holding saiddocument on said document plate.
 10. The scanning device of claim 1,wherein said scanning module is a contact image sensor.
 11. The scanningdevice of claim 1, further comprising a second sliding guide parallel tosaid first sliding guide, wherein said scanning module is able to movealong the direction of the sliding guides.
 12. A scanning device,comprising: a document plate at a surface of a housing, capable ofreceiving a document; a guide outside said housing; and a scanningmodule outside of said housing and operably coupled to said guide,wherein the scanning module is movable generally along the direction ofsaid guide.
 13. The scanning device according to claim 12, furthercomprising a driving module operably coupled to said scanning module andcapable of driving said scanning module to scan the document.
 14. Thescanning device according to claim 12, wherein said document platecomprises a transparent plate.
 15. The scanning device according toclaim 12, wherein the document plate has a first surface and a secondsurface, and wherein the scanning device further comprises: a firstlight source carried by said scanning module, wherein said scanningmodule is proximate to the first surface; and a second light sourceproximate to the second surface.
 16. The scanning device according toclaim 15, further comprising a control module capable of activatingand/or deactivating said first light source and said second lightsource.
 17. The scanning device according to claim 15, wherein saidfirst light source is activated and said second light source isdeactivated during a scan of a reflective document.
 18. The scanningdevice according to claim 15, wherein said first light source isdeactivated and said second light source is activated during a scan of atransparent document.
 19. The scanning device according to claim 15,further comprising a driving module operably coupled to said scanningmodule, and wherein said second light source includes a light tubeoperably coupled to said driving module, said driving module beingcapable of synchronizing the movement of the second light source withsaid scanning module for scanning a document.
 20. The scanning deviceaccording to claim 15, wherein said second light source comprises alight panel.
 21. The scanning device according to claim 12, furthercomprising a stand, capable of being pivotally connected to a surface ofsaid housing, and capable of providing support for said housing in agenerally declined position.
 22. The scanning device according to claim12, further comprising a transparent cover capable of securing thedocument adjacent said document plate.
 23. The scanning device accordingto claim 12, wherein said scanning module comprises a contact imagesensor.
 24. The scanning device according to claim 12, furthercomprising another guide generally parallel to said guide, and whereinsaid scanning module is capable of moving generally in the direction ofsaid guide and/or said another guide.
 25. A method, comprising:receiving a document at a document plate at a surface of a housing; andscanning said received document, wherein said scanning comprises movinga scanning module generally along a guide, said guide being external tosaid housing.
 26. The method according to claim 25, wherein saidscanning further comprises activating and/or deactivating a first lightsource and a second light source.
 27. The method according to claim 26,wherein said scanning further comprises activating said first lightsource and deactivating said second light source during a scan of areflective document.
 28. The method according to claim 26, wherein saidscanning further comprises deactivating said first light source andactivating said second light source during a scan of a transparentdocument.
 29. The method according to claim 26, further comprisingsynchronizing the movement of said scanning module and a driving modulewith the activation and/or deactivation of said first light source andsaid second light source, if scanning a document.
 30. The methodaccording to claim 25, further comprising securing said receiveddocument to said document plate.
 31. The method according to claim 25,wherein said scanning further comprises moving said scanning modulegenerally in a direction of said guide and/or another guide.
 32. Themethod according to claim 25, wherein said scanning further comprisesdriving said scanning module by a driving module, if scanning adocument.
 33. An apparatus, comprising: means for receiving a documentat a housing; means for moving a scanning module generally along aguide, said guide being outside of said housing; and means for scanningsaid received document.
 34. The apparatus according to claim 33, whereinsaid means for scanning further comprises means for activating and/ordeactivating a first light source and a second light source.
 35. Theapparatus according to claim 34, further comprising means forsynchronizing the movement of said scanning module with said means foractivating and/or deactivating said first light source and said secondlight source, if scanning a document.
 36. The apparatus according toclaim 33, further comprising means for securing said received documentto said housing.
 37. The apparatus according to claim 33, wherein saidmeans for moving a scanning module further comprises means for movingsaid scanning module generally in a direction of said guide and/oranother guide.